Origin and History
Botanists believe that garlic probably originated in central Asia
thousands of years ago. Clay models of garlic were found in Egyptian
tombs - six dried garlic bulbs were in the tomb of Tutankhamen.
Garlic is one of the plants featured at Plant Cultures, a website from Kew Gardens that covers a wide
range of cultural and environmental issues relating to South Asia
and its history of links to Britain
The leaves of the garlic plant are pointed which is probably where it
derived its name: "gaar" being an old gothic word for "spear" gives us
"spear leek".
Most people associate garlic with bad breath - chewing raw parsley is
often recommended to help reduce the smell. The Roman poet Horace
detested the smell of garlic and considered it vulgar and a sign
of an evil spirit. Even Shakespeare mentions garlic - and is not
complimentary.
Garlic is even mentioned in the Christian Bible [Numbers 11: 4-6].
Uses and Benefits
Garlic grows well with many other plants and help protect them from
fungus and pests. Scientists at Newcastle University have shown that
a barrier of garlic oil is an effective slug and snail repellent.
There is also evidence that garlic can help protect people
against mosquito bites.
Garlic also has a reputation in folklore for various health
benefits, some of which have been confirmed by modern science.
In 1999 the average garlic consumption in the US was more than three pounds
of garlic per person. The "stinking rose" has come a long way since ancient
Egyptian times.
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